A year ago today Albion were in a mess.

Fans spewed hatred towards the manager as Millwall beat Sami Hyypia's strugglers 1-0 at the Amex.

A third straight defeat kept the Seagulls in the relegation zone.

It was the lowest point of the Amex era, a poisonous atmosphere the like of which had not been seen before and has not been seen since.

Not now that Chris Hughton has masterminded an astonishing turnaround.

Twelve months on, Albion go to promotion rivals Derby County on top of the table, still unbeaten and with club records falling like confetti.

They already have 41 points, just six fewer than last season's final total, following last Saturday's stunning comeback against Charlton.

That served as a reminder to long-serving skipper Gordon Greer of how the club has pulled itself back together.

Greer, who will be 35 on Monday, told The Argus: "I didn't play in that (Millwall) game but I was in the crowd. It wasn't a good place to be, especially if you're a part of the club. I can totally understand the frustration from the fans.

"On Saturday (against Charlton) we went 2-0 down but the supporters got right behind us and backed us. It was a fantastic feeling for us players, knowing we had their support.

"When we came out of the stadium everyone was delighted but I don’t remember a bad word being said to the players from the crowd at 2-0 down. It's a real credit to the supporters who stuck by us.

"We are fortunate to play in front of a fantastic crowd. For me that's the Brighton I remember. The Millwall game was just one of those things. We were on a bad run and they vented their frustration.

"We would all be frustrated as well. We all want to win games but we just weren't doing that at the time, I like to look at the positives and Saturday was a massive positive with the supporters behind us at 2-0 down."

Albion's rapid recovery is all the more remarkable considering Hughton's squad contains 11 new players signed since the summer, a variety of nationalities from different backgrounds and with different levels of experience, moulded together with those, like Greer, he felt he could still rely on.

Greer said: "The staff and manager deserve a massive pat on that back when looking over the past year. It's not a massive amount of time and the turnaround has been vast.

"They deserve a massive pat on the back, the manager, coaches, staff, players, and everyone behind the scenes at Brighton.

"I was sitting here a year ago saying we have Premier League staff. We're doing well and the club is built for top flight.

"It will happen but it's easier said than done. We just need to get enough points. Hopefully at the end of the season we'll be where we belong."

Greer was out injured when Albion were thumped 3-0 by Derby at the iPro Stadium last season in the match before the Millwall debacle.

They gained a measure of revenge with a 2-0 victory at the Amex in March - the last time Albion won in the Championship by more than one goal - but Greer still has painful memories of the penultimate visit to the East Midlands in the play-offs two seasons ago.

He was forced off injured midway through the first half as the Seagulls, 2-1 down from the first leg at the Amex, were crushed 4-1.

"We knew Derby were a good side," Greer said. "The first leg we played really well and deserved to be ahead.

"On the day we were chasing the game and got punished. It was a really disappointing day as a person and for the club. You look back at these things and take something from it.

"When you suffer a setback you learn from it and move on and improve. Derby have done really well this year and have a great squad but we'll be going there knowing we can do something. We have got a good squad as well and I'm sure it'll be a good game."

Greer will be trying to prevent Scottish international team-mate Chris Martin adding to his tally of six goals in his last five appearances against Albion.

The Glaswegian stalwart faces other familiar faces as well in Johnny Russell and former loan signing Darren Bent but his only friends today are in the Seagulls' rejuvenated dressing room.

"Last year a lot went against us," he said. "It was easy to feel sorry for ourselves. We struggled to find a balance at times. Some games we were great going forward but rubbish at the back and vice-versa.

"Over the summer the gaffer has brought in some players to help us out and we have pushed on again. I think we have a better balance and we were lacking that last year.

"We're a confident group but not overly and that's very important. We try to improve ourselves in training. I'm one of the older members but I'll still try and improve myself and that's what we do here.

"It's a culture and we want to be successful and improve. We will keep going and see where it takes us."

It has already taken them a very long way from a grim evening at the Amex a year ago.